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Re: Diplomacy in a Trump world

Originally Posted by joG

It is very sad that Denmark and others actually lost lives in Afghanistan or elsewhere.
But, if you look at the amounts of spending relative to GDP, you might find a reason for the relatively small contingents of troops the EU countries deploy to peace keeping and security enforcing efforts. You will also see that this is not new. The US is down in relative spending to 3% plus while Europeans excluding France and England are up to 1% plus. As EU countries are economic competitors this alone gives them a 2% of GDP advantage against the US. You should be ashamed of yourself to propagate this free riding. At least von der Leyen understands that and is mouthing that Germany will correct this.

You need a reason for spending taxpayers money. That already EU countries spend over three times more on their military compared to Russia the closest potential enemy. That at the same time EU and USA together spend between three and four times more on their military compared to Russia and China combined.

Also their are other ways to contribute to a better world like for example The Good Country Index show.

Re: Diplomacy in a Trump world

Originally Posted by Bergslagstroll

You need a reason for spending taxpayers money. That already EU countries spend over three times more on their military compared to Russia the closest potential enemy. That at the same time EU and USA together spend between three and four times more on their military compared to Russia and China combined.

Also their are other ways to contribute to a better world like for example The Good Country Index show.

You are right that governments should only spend taxpayer money, when there is a reason. The reason Europeans did not spend money was because they knew they didn't have to as long as the US would do so anyway. You see, security is a public good. If one country makes it, the others can use it without paying.

The reason that Europeans did not spend tax money on security was that they could free ride it. That left them with a competitive advantage that the partially used for social programs. What a Good Country that is, dishonest but ever so Good.

Re: Diplomacy in a Trump world

Originally Posted by joG

You are right that governments should only spend taxpayer money, when there is a reason. The reason Europeans did not spend money was because they knew they didn't have to as long as the US would do so anyway. You see, security is a public good. If one country makes it, the others can use it without paying.

The reason that Europeans did not spend tax money on security was that they could free ride it. That left them with a competitive advantage that the partially used for social programs. What a Good Country that is, dishonest but ever so Good.

As I already wrote Europe already spend three times more on their military than Russia. Also with today’s increasing tensions it maybe not be a good idea with another arm race. Take for example this comment from Mikhail Gorbachev.

It was a really a wasted moment that USA and Russia didn’t disarm their nuclear armaments a lot more during the 90’s then it was an opportunity do that. Because it could have both same those countries taxpayers a lot of money and made the world safer for all. That for example “only” having 300 nukes would be more than enough of a deterrent.
Also it’s really good that many EU countries are leading the shift to renewable energy. Because the Gulf war, the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War have all directly and indirectly been related to west dependency on Middle Eastern oil.

If you talking about the cold war small Sweden hade for example one of the world’s biggest air force during the 50's peak of the cold war. We would probably also have had our own nukes if wasn’t for political reason. Also Sweden designed several own fighter jets that is a big achievement for such small countries. That at the Sweden had compulsory military service.

Re: Diplomacy in a Trump world

Originally Posted by Bergslagstroll

As I already wrote Europe already spend three times more on their military than Russia. Also with today’s increasing tensions it maybe not be a good idea with another arm race. Take for example this comment from Mikhail Gorbachev.

It was a really a wasted moment that USA and Russia didn’t disarm their nuclear armaments a lot more during the 90’s then it was an opportunity do that. Because it could have both same those countries taxpayers a lot of money and made the world safer for all. That for example “only” having 300 nukes would be more than enough of a deterrent.
Also it’s really good that many EU countries are leading the shift to renewable energy. Because the Gulf war, the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War have all directly and indirectly been related to west dependency on Middle Eastern oil.

If you talking about the cold war small Sweden hade for example one of the world’s biggest air force during the 50's peak of the cold war. We would probably also have had our own nukes if wasn’t for political reason. Also Sweden designed several own fighter jets that is a big achievement for such small countries. That at the Sweden had compulsory military service.

You are not thinking the problem from the demand side and your examples are just so much fact falsification by anecdote.